Now, it’s Putin’s turn. Will Xi Jinping encourage Russia to end the Ukraine war?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in China to meet Xi Jinping, days after the Chinese leader hosted US President Donald Trump. Will Putin gush over Xi, as Trump was accused of doing? Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher discusses the historic concessions Trump has ma…

Almost 20 years of NAPLAN data has revealed something shocking

It’s like clockwork. Every March, countless parents, children and teachers across Australia grip their foreheads, wondering about how their NAPLAN scores measure up. But now, a new study of our country’s national standardised scholastic test has revealed an unsettling trend. Today, education repo…

What Angus Taylor's immigration plan would really mean

With the Liberal Party in a political death spiral, it was perhaps inevitable that when Opposition Leader Angus Taylor gave his budget reply speech last week, he’d swing for the fences. But could his much-awaited immigration policy help fix Australia's housing crisis? Today, chief political comme…

Why Melbourne's nightclubs have been targeted by a 'Fagin-like' mystery figure

Melbourne’s nightlife industry has been beset by violent crimes for much of this year. Under the cover of night, well-known venues - including an iconic French restaurant - have been targeted. What makes this series of connected crimes interesting is the motive remains a mystery. Some club owners …

Does a broken promise matter in a broken system, and Angus Taylor’s migrant plan

The federal budget was pitched as a big moment for a progressive government that wants to equalise wealth and home ownership. And one of the main attacks from the opposition is that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has had to break a promise in order to get there. So will the broken promise line r…

Taiwan, trade and the balance of power: What’s at stake when Trump meets Xi Jinping

When US President Donald Trump meets with China's President Xi Jinping this week, it will be a geopolitical heavyweight match-up with enormous stakes, according to Joe Biden’s former deputy secretary of state, Kurt Campbell. On the table is everything from global trade to security. And, at a time…

Zoomers, boomers and a federal budget that could fix housing

The federal government has delivered one of the most anticipated budgets in recent history, with the focus on shifting wealth from Boomers and opening more of the housing market to younger wage earners. In order to get there, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers have enacted …

Will One Nation push Labor to reshape our society?

We’re only hours away from the federal treasurer handing down the government’s much-anticipated budget. All eyes have been on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s anticipated - and controversial - changes to taxes that benefit the wealthier members of our society. But there’s an entirely different fa…

A fiery air crash in the Top End – and a miracle by Aussie doctors who saved a US marine

Travis Reyes, a 21-year-old US marine, remembers feeling smug as he sat with his feet dangling out the door of a military aircraft, soaring high above a gulf in the Northern Territory. Yes, dozens of military personnel had died in these hybrid aeroplane/helicopters over the years. But the take-off…

‘Popcorn out’ for Farrer by-election, plus the RBA’s pointed comments on government spending

The electorate of Farrer is holding a by-election this weekend and we’re expecting the contest will be a good one. The NSW seat, which hugs the border with Victoria, belonged to former opposition leader Sussan Ley for 25 years. Now, it’s a microcosm of the pressures the Coalition is under from ind…